CHRISTMAS
COOKIES! I particularly love Spritz cookies and cut-out sugar cookies! I have wonderful memories of my mom making
delicious Christmas cookies every year.
Now, I use many of her recipes and make them myself, and I love to give
them away to others. Spritz cookies take
lots of time and energy to make, but they are the best! It's all I can do to not eat all of them
myself. And there is a special sugar
cookie recipe that I grew up with and they are fun to make and
decorate......and then EAT!

What is your favorite gift to give at the holidays?

I love to
find what someone's favorite thing is, or if they collect something in
particular, and then have fun with that.
I have a sister who collects angels, another one who loves snowmen, and
one who LOVES the Minnesota Vikings.
It's fun to find new and special things that they can add to their
collections!

What is your favorite holiday food?We make traditional Italian anise cookies for Christmas every year, and they are amazing with a hot cup of tea.

What is your favorite gift to give at the holidays?My favorite part of holiday gift giving doesn't have to do with a specific type of gift, per se. The best part of giving gifts, at the holidays or any day, is seeing how even the smallest gesture can bring joy to someone's life.

What is the current best seller in your shop?Stretch headbands are definitely my most sold item.

What is your favorite gift to give at the holidays?I try to
find personal gifts for my friends and family. I usually purchase them
throughout the year. (no need to rack up credit cards at the end of the year).

What is your favorite holiday food?My
favorite holiday food is definitely stuffing! I don't care if there is anything
else there, as long as there is stuffing (although if someone makes a cherry
pie, I'm in heaven!)What is your favorite gift to give at the holidays?

Of course I love to give special things I've made at the
holidays, but I also like to get people things that they'd love, but wouldn't
buy for themselves -- too much money to spend on something they don't really
"need" it (but love it), etc. It's supposed to be fun!

What is the current best seller in your shop?

My current best sellers seem to go in phases! There are
so many images in the store, that one can go dormant for a while and suddenly
everyone is interested in it again! A current favorite is "Le Chat
Noir," the Lautrec vintage ad, and another is a crown wearing Basset
Hound. There are suddenly TONS of orders for him, although he's been around a
while!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

In effort to help readers get to know our Gift Guide Shops better, we asked them
a few Holiday related questions. Please tell us some of your favorite
traditions!

Esse JewelsWhat is your favorite holiday food?All the was back to my childhood it's been marshmallow fudge. Cannot get enough of it! Thank goodness I can't make it! My cooking skills are at boiling an egg level.What is your favorite gift to give at the holidays?Something I know a person really wants or loves, but would never buy for themselves.

What is your favorite holiday food?I love to make gingerbread cookies using my grandmother's recipe and my mom's chocolate caramel if I can get ahold of the special ingredients :) What is your favorite gift to give at the holidays?I love to give something that they didn't ask for but is thrilled to get
just because it is perfect for them and what they need. I really like to give
something that they can use and appreciate. Sometimes it is clothes and
sometimes it is a decorative piece it all depends on where they are in their
life. And as icing on the cake - if it is handmade it is beyond perfect.What is the current best seller in your shop?My currently most sold items are my Save the date cards. Something I
never thought when I started. But that is why it is so great to be an artist
and so connected with your customers. SHOP DISCOUNT: BIG35 for 35% off (Expires 12/5/2010)

Remember, our shop features will continue all week...do not forget these other wonderful discounts:

Monday, November 26, 2012

Happy Holidays to all of our dedicated Daily Dose of Handmade readers! Can you believe that this is the last week of November??? Did you take part in the crazy Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping sales?? Well we have more fabulous deals for you this week! Take a look at our featured shops...

What is your favorite holiday tradition?My
favorite holiday tradition...is the day when out family spends the afternoon
making mulled apple cider and baking together. Then in the evening we let the
all the youngsters decorate the tree. Most of our ornaments are all handmade. I
think there are 3 generations of decorations. What is your favorite gift to give at the holidays?
My favorite gift to give over the holidays is my time.
Christmas to me is about spending time with family and friends and not about
gift giving.

What is your favorite holiday tradition?We
don't celebrate a religious holiday, but we extend our celebration to be a full
month of gifts and get togethers!What is your favorite gift to give at the holidays?

What is your favorite holiday tradition?My favorite tradition is is cookie and candy baking with family and then
exchanges with friends and family. I also enjoy coming up with cute ways to
package them.What is your favorite gift to give at the holidays?My favorite gifts to give are those that I have handmade especially for
the receiver. Last year I made custom pillowcases with matching fleece PJ
bottoms for my grandsons. Each one got something different based on their likes
or hobbies. They loved it!What is the current best selling item in your shop?The best sellers in my shop are the patterns, fabrics and appliques.
Guess lots of people are making their own gifts!Grandma Said Sew is offering 15% off with discount code HOLIDAY

Remember, our shop features will continue all week...do not forget these other wonderful discounts:

What is your favorite holiday tradition?Decorating
the outside of the boat with lights and hanging my mother's hand-painted
ornaments inside!What is your favorite gift to give at the holidays?
Home-made cinnamon rolls!!What is the current best selling item in your shop?
My cool wire art/bead seahorses!!Uniquely Mary L is offering 25% off with discount code Seahorse12

Remember, our shop features will continue all week...do not forget these other wonderful discounts: